The seven accused in the rape and murder of the eight-year-old Rasana girl on Wednesday were shifted as per the Supreme Court order to a jail in Gurdasspur, Punjab.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pathankot and Superintendent of Police (SP) Gurdasspur were today summoned to the Pathankot district and sessions court and were told by the court “from today onwards, you have to look after the safety and security of the accused, said a source.

“I am handing over the accused to you (Punjab Police) along with the SC order. From today onwards, safety and security of the accused is your responsibility, the judge said in the written order,” one of the defence lawyers AK Sawhney said, while talking to media persons outside the court after the proceedings for the day ended.

“Comply with the order right from now, the court directed the Punjab Police officers in a written order,” Sawhney said.

Meanwhile, during cross-examination, the seventh witness in the case, a Patwari, told the court that there are 6 co-owners of the Devsthan, including the mastermind Sanjhi Ram, sources informed.

As per the Crime Branch (CB) charge sheet, the victim was kept captive in the Devsthan. “Yesterday, a witness, naib-tehsildar, had also told the court that there are 6 co-owners of the Devsthan including Sanjhi Ram,” sources said.

“The Patwari, during cross-examination, also admitted in the court today that there are 6 co-owners of the Devsthan including the mastermind Sanjhi Ram, and there are also 3 keys of Devsthan being held by 3 different people,” sources informed.

The cross-examination of the Patwari, which was quite lengthy, concluded today. After Patwari, sources said that cross-examination of the eighth witness, the concerned SHO of Hira Nagar Police Station, was started.

“However, the cross-examination of SHO could not be completed by the defence lawyers today and, therefore, will continue tomorrow,” sources said.